We're looking for any reference to PIERCE in connection with LEMONS, MURRELL, OGLE, WILEY, or (too good to hope for) MOTHERSHEAD in NC, TN or KY in the 1775 to 1825 timeframe. We're absolutely stuck at our great-greatgrandfather, Washington G PIERCE, who appears magically in an 1842 land transaction in Jefferson Co, MO. He is married to Martha LEMONS, and at least three grown sons - George W (b ca 1824, probably in TN), William Goosby (b 1828, TN), and John. George W's first wife was Susannah LEMONS, and from the land transactions and other intertwinings with the surrounding (and numerous) LEMONS, MOTHERSHEAD, MURREL, OGLE and WILEY families, it would seem that these PIERCEs were well established by the time of that 1842 land transaction. With the exception (as far as we know) of MOTHERSHEAD, these are all names that are well researched and that followed the PA/MD --> VA --> NC/TN migration paths. It seems to me that our best chance lies in trying to track these other families in the hope that one of them will lead us to a useful PIERCE reference in NC/TN/KY. -- John W Pierce, R2 Systems, San Diego [email protected]